Locate Proposed Federal University in Nkari, Ini Lawmaker Begs Govts

The member Representing INI State Constituency and the Chief Whip, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria,  Akwa Ibom State Government and the  Federal Ministry of Education to consider Nkari in INI Local Government Area as the best location for the proposed Federal University of Technology. 

Speaking with journalists in Uyo, the lawmaker said this will naturally put an end to over two decades of communal clashes between Nkari and Usaka, a neighbouring community in Abia State which has led to loss of lives and property. 

He noted that "the indigenes of the area (Nkari) are now living in fear due to incessant and perpetual attacks. They can no longer go to the farm and market. Movement from one place to another within the area is done with utmost caution, which has brought untold hardship and sufferings upon the indigenes."

He further said "Nkari is blessed with abundant natural resources and hardworking people and  is tipped to be pivotal to economic development and advancement of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large, but  hampered by the impending crisis that has engulfed all nooks and crannies of the area."

On several occasions, Rt Hon Bassey said he  has reached out to the National Boundary Commission to come for proper demarcation of the boundary, but "it seems they are acting in a slow pace which is not good at providing solution to the crises, as there are continuous attacks on the people of Nkari, and they get killed almost on daily basis."

He, therefore, urge the government to locate  the proposed Institution in the area as a means of having a long lasting solution to the perennial impasse. 

"It is my belief and conviction that Government will look in this direction and use this opportunity to end the crises once and for all by taking over the land and sitting the Proposed Federal University of Technology there so as to serve as a buffer between the neighbouring communities.," he concluded.